Raising the roof

TRENTON - Barney and Rex were earning their hay and oats Saturday in Trenton.
The workhorses owned by James MacLeod were busy pulling a sleigh full of people through the Trenton Park Saturday as part of the "Take the Roof Off Winter" activities.
Organizers had hoped for around 200 people, but it was more than clear that they had exceeded that goal and Barney and Rex were busy trotting around trying to meet the demand.
"So far things are going good," said Alison Smith, organizing committee chair. "Unfortunately sleigh rides are on a first come-first serve basis, so some people aren't getting on."
The family fun day was held to spread word about the possible activities that can be enjoyed at Trenton Park during the winter.
"We were trying to promote the park as a destination year round for everybody," Smith said. "A lot of people think of it in the summertime but we want to promote it as a year-round destination and that people can exercise year round."
In addition to the sleigh rides, there was a bonfire for roasting marshmallows, snowshoeing, crafts and a photo contest.
This is the first year the event has been held at the park and Smith said it was great to see so many people out.
"The kids crafts table has been filled all afternoon and we've had great responses," she said.
But it wasn't just kids that showed up to enjoy the winter activities. "I've had a mixture of people from infants to probably in their 80s this afternoon," Smith said. "We also had a winter walk as part as the afternoon so we're encouraging people to just come out for a walk. We had a lot of seniors come out today."
The event owes a lot of credit to the companies that donated supplies and prizes to make it happen.
"We wouldn't be able to do any of this without our sponsors," Smith said.
Pictou Landing First Nation school lent the snowshoes for the event which was one of the most popular activities.
"My kids did the snowshoeing and seemed to really enjoy it,' said Alice Spaulding of Linacy.
Her son Bailey, 10, said it was his first real chance to snow shoe.
"The hardest part about it is trying to keep the snowshoe from falling off," he advised.